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PLAYS FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS ONLY 

15 CENTS EACH 

CRANFORD DAMES. 2 Scenes; \\i hours. 
GERTRUDE MASON, M.D. 1 Act; 30 minutes. 
CHEERFUL. COMPANION. 1 Act; 25 minutes. 
LESSON IN ELEGANCE. 1 Act; cO minutes. 
MAIDENS ALL FORLORN. 3 Acts; 1J4 hours. 
MURDER WILL OUT. 1 Act; 30 minutes. 
ROMANCE OF PHYLLIS. 8 Acts; 1^ hours. 
SOCIAL ASPIRATIONS. 1 Act; 45 minutes. 

OUT? WITTED. 1 Act; 20 minutes " 

WHITE DOVE OF ONEIDA. 2 Acts; 45 minutes. 

SWEET FAMILY!. 1 Act; 1 hour 

BELLES OF BLACKVILLE. 1 Act; 2hours 80 

PRINCESS KIKU. (25 cents) 11 

RAINBOW KIMONA. (25 cents.) 2 Acts; 1^ hours. 
MERRY OLD MAIDS. (25 cents.) Motion Song 11 

PLAYS FOR MALE CHARACTERS ONLY 

15 CENTS EACH 

APRIL FOOLS. tAct; 80 minutes 

BYRD AND HURD. 1 Act; 40minutes 

DARKEY WOOD DEALER. 1 Act; 20 minutes 

WANTED, A MAHATMA. 1 Act; 80 minutes 

HOLY TERROR. 1 Act; 80 minutes 

MANAGER'S TRIALS'. I Act; 1 hour 

MEDICA. lAct; 35 minufes 

NIGGER NIGHT SCHOOL. 1 Act; 80 minutes 

SLIM JIM AND THE HOODOO. 1 Act; 30 minutes 

WANTED. A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK. 1 Act; 30 minutes 

SNOBSON'S STAG PARTY. 1 Act; 1 hour 12 

PICKLES AND TICKLES. 1 Act; 20 minutes 6 

HARVEST STORM. 1 Act; 40 minutes 10 

CASE OP HERR BAR ROOMSKI. Mock Trial; 2 hours.... 28 
DARKEY BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. Mock Trial. 22 

GREAT LIBEL CASE. Mock Trial; 1 Scene; 2 hours 21 

RIDING THE GOAT. Burlesque Initiation; 1 Scene; 1^ hours 24 




FITZGERALD PUBLISHING CORPN, 18 Vesey St., N. Y. 



A SLACKER FOR 
THE CAUSE 



A SKETCH IN ONE ACT 



By B. A. HEDGES 



Copyright, iqi8, by 
Fitzgerald Publishing Corporation 



If/ 



Fitzgerald Publishing Corporation 

successor to 

Dick & Fitzgerald 

18 Vesey Street New York City 



4> # 



A SLACKER FOR THE CAUSE 



CHARACTERS. 

Betty Truesdale An "All- American" Girl 

Mr. Truesdale Her Father 

Lieut. McChesney In love with Betty 

Dick Morgan, the "Slacker" (?)..A1so in love with 
Betty 

Time. — The present. Locality. — A Military Port. 

Time of Playing. — About 20 minutes. 
Costumes. — Appropriate to characters portrayed. 

STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

As seen by performers on the stage, facing audience. 
d.r. means door on right hand; d.l., door on left hand. 
Up, towards rear of stage ; down, towards footlights. 



©CID 50255 

m 29 1918 



A SLACKER FOR THE CAUSE 



Scene. — A parlor furnished elaborately or simply, as 
may be desired, with doors r. and l. DISCOV- 
ERED Betty Truesdale at piano, playing an up- 
to-date war song; Lieut. McChesney leaning on 
piano, singing. 

Lieut. McChesney (as song ends). Betty, I — I can't 
help it. (Takes her hand) I love you. Isn't there any 
hope for me at all? 

Betty (rising and withdrawing hand). Why, Mr. 
McChesney, have you forgotten that I am engaged to 
Dick Morgan, your friend? Is this the way you show 
your friendship ? 

McChesney (discomfited). I know, Betty, but when 
a man loves as I do, he isn't to be blamed if he doesn't 
think much about the duties of friendship. I expect to 
sail for France in a very few days now. Dick will have 
you all to himself, then, since he was so unfortunate (Sar- 
castically) as to have his eyes injured during his long 
vacation last winter, thereby being exempted from the 
service. 

Betty (indignantly). That will do, Mr. McChesney. 
I do not like the tone which you use in speaking of your 
friend. You will please excuse me. 

[EXIT d.l., haughtily. 

McChesney. Confound it, I didn't go at it right. 
Humph! If I had eyes half as good as Dick Morgan's, 
I 'd be satisfied. 

ENTER Mr. Truesdale d.l. 

Mr. Truesdale. What's up, my boy? I just passed 

3 



4 A Slacker for the Cause 

Betty in the hall and she looked like a small young hur- 
ricane. You haven't quarreled, I hope? 

McChesney. Well, rather! I couldn't keep still any 
longer and just blurted out. my declaration of love to 
your daughter. I guess I made some slighting remark 
about Morgan and his poor eyes, too, and Betty left in 
a rage. I am afraid I rather queered my chances with 
her, in fact. 

Mr. Truesdale. Hmmn! I see. You weren't as 
diplomatic as you should have been, I suspect. I '11 have 
a word with her, myself. Perhaps I can make her see 
things in the right light. Why, man, I 'd disown the girl 
before I'd let her marry a slacker like Morgan. Bad 
eyesight. Bah! Everybody knows it was all a bluff. 
How he ever got past the exemption board is a -mystery 
to me; but I'll wager there was a graft in it for some- 
body. Think of it — a Truesdale marrying an able-bodied 
man who isn't in navy blue or army khaki — marrying 
a slacker! Not if I know anything about it. You run 
along now, my boy, and come back here in a quarter of 
an hour or so. I think Betty will see things a little dif- 
ferently by that time. 

McChesney. Thank you, Mr. Truesdale, I shall do 
as you say. 

[EXIT Truesdale d. l. McChesney d. r. 

ENTER d. r., Dick Morgan. Wears a pair of dark 

glasses. 

Morgan. So my rival has been here before me ! (Lays 
liat on table) Well, he didn't look exactly cheerful as 
I passed him just now. (Sits, and picks up newspaper 
from table) Gad, it makes my blood boil to have to take 
his pretended friendship and sympathy, when all the 
time I want to give him a good lick under the chin that 
would knock that smile permanently from his face. 
Well, my day will be coming pretty soon if he isn't care- 
ful. Hello! I see the marines are still making things 



A Slacker for the Cause 5 

hot for the Huns. Bully for them ! (Throws glasses to 
table impatiently and reads eagerly) 

ENTER, d.l., Betty. Site pauses a moment, surprised 

to see Morgan without his glasses. She then comes 

forward slowly. 

Betty. Good evening, Mr. Morgan. Aren't you 
afraid you 11 injure your eyes without your glasses? 

Morgan (rises hastily and grabs up glasses). Why — 
why — good evening, Betty. No, the — that is, the fact 
is 

Betty (coldly). You mean that the fact is that you 
really don't need glasses at all, do you not? Isn't that 
the truth? 

Morgan (still holding glasses in Ms hand). Yes, 

but (Checks himself) Yes, it is quite true. I do 

not need glasses. My eyes are all right. 

Betty. I had begun to suspect as much. I am very 
sorry to learn that my suspicions were justified. Since 
that is the case, you will do me a very groat favor by 
taking this ring and departing at once. You may rest 
assured that I shall not disclose your secret to the au- 
thorities. I am too much of a red-blooded American 
girl, however, to have anything but contempt for a man 
who shirks his duty these days — a — a slacker! 

Morgan (takes ring). Betty, I am sorry. (Turns to 

go) 

Betty (tearfully). Dick, Dick, isn't there anything 
you can say in your defense ? 

Morgan (turning towards her). No, Betty. Good- 
bye. [EXIT d.r. 

Betty (sinking dejectedly into a chair, buries her 
face in her handkerchief. Suddenly she springs to her 
feet and stamps her foot angrily). I don't care ! I hate 
him! 

ENTER, d.r., McChesney. 



6 A Slacker fof the Cause 

McChesney. Whom? The Kaiser? So do I. 

Betty. And I hate all those men who claim to be 
good Americans and yet, although physically able, won't 
don the uniform of Uncle Sam and help blow the Kaiser 
and his kultured crew sky high! Oh, I wish I were a 
man! 

McChesney (aside). I'll bet she's onto Morgan. 
(Aloud) Come, now, I'm glad you're not a man. If 
we just had a few more women of your type in this 
country, it wouldn't be long until General Pershing and 
his boys would be eating breakfast in the Kaiser's din- 
ing-room. Why, who wouldn't fight for a country and 
a flag that produced a girl like you! 

Betty. Dick Morgan wouldn't. I've just found out 
that there's nothing the matter with his eyes at all. 

McChesney. Why, aren't you mistaken? I can't 
believe old Dick would be so deceptive, so cowardly. 

Betty. He is! He admitted it. I'm through with 
him forever! 

McChesney. Betty! (Again takes Tier Tiand) And 
is there hope for me after all ? ( Truesdale appears d.l .) 

Betty. Yes, if you still want me. 

McChesney. Do I want you! (Starts to kiss Tier 
when Betty sees Tier father in the door and draws back) 

ENTER d.l., Truesdale. 

Mr. Truesdale (laughs delightedly). Well, well, con- 
gratulations, my boy. (Shakes hands with McChesney,) 
Betty, my dear, I am glad to see that you have come to 
your senses and made the right choice. 

ENTER, d.r., Morgan, in uniform of TJ. S. Lieutenant. 

Morgan. Good evening, everybody. ( All show sur- 
prise) 

Betty. Dick ! In uniform ! 

McChesney (sneeringly). You've been to the cos- 
tumer's, I see. 



A Slacker fof the Cause 7 

Morgan. No, only to the office of the federal mar- 
shal. Mr. Schneider, alias Lieut. McChesney, 1 11 trouble 
you for that paper which I see bulging from your coat 
pocket. ( McChesney darts a quick glance at his side 
pocket, then reaches for Jtis hip pocket. Morgan quickly 
covers him with a revolver, and McChesney lets hand 
fall) No, the coat pocket — the one you just looked at 
so hastily. Quickly ! (McChesney takes document from 
pocket and hands it to Morgan. Dick lays revolver 
aside and spreads paper on table) Ah, here it is, just 
as I thought — the complete information concerning the 
sailing of this week's transports — the time of their sail- 
ing, the place, the number of men on board each, their 
routes and destinations. A few more hours and I sus- 
pect this information would have been in the hands of 
the U-boat commanders. (Meanwhile, McChesney has 
been creeping toward d.l. He gains it and suddenly 
darts out) 

Mr. Truesdale (seeing escape). Dick, Dick, you've 
let the infernal scoundrel escape. After him, man. 
He'll get out the back way. 

Morgan (folding paper and laughing). Oh, I guess 
he won't get very far. I forgot to tell him that four 
of my men are waiting outside to give him the most cor- 
dial kind of a reception. I very much fear that our 
recent good friend will spend a night in the guardhouse 
and will face a court martial in the morning. We've 
been on his track quite a while, but it was only this 
evening that we caught his accomplice who confessed 
everything. You see, I got my commission during that 
three months' vacation in the training camp. This job 
was my first assignment, and I'm glad it's all over, for 
it hasn't been what you would call a pleasure. (Puts 
paper into pocket) 

Mr. Truesdale. Dick, I'm sorry. I apologize. I 
guess I 'm another of those well-meaning Americans who 
are so quick to condemn the government and find graft 
in its officials. I thought you had bought your exemp- 
tion. 



8 



A Slacker for the Cause 



Morgan. Oh, that's all right, Mr. Truesdale. Ap- 
pearances were rather deceptive. 

Mr. Truesdale. Well, I'll leave Betty to your ten- 
der mercy. She's a pretty good soldier most of the time, 
but she looks as though she might be ready to beg quar- 
ter just now. [EXIT, chuckling, d.l. 

Betty (head down J. Can you ever forgive me, Dick? 

Morgan (takes ring from pocket). Betty, there is 
only one girl in the world whose finger this ring will fit. 
If she will just put it on again and keep it there forever, 
I'll promise to bring her a curl from the Kaiser's mus- 
tache for a wedding present. (Betty goes to him, ex- 
tending finger) 



CURTAIN. 



MILITARY PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

M. 

BY THE ENEMY'S HAND. 4 Acts; 2 hours 10 

EDWARDS, THE SPY. 5 Acts; 2y 2 hours. 10 

PRISONER OP ANDERSON VILLE. 4 Acts; 2y 4 hours.. 10 

CAPTAIN DICK. 3 Acts; \y> hours 9 

ISABEL,, THE PEARL, OF CUBA. 4 Acts; 2 hours 9 

LITTLE S AVAG E. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 4 

BY FORCE OF IMPULSE. (15 cents.) 5 Acts; 2y z hours 9 
BETWEEN TWO FIRES. (15 cents.) 3 Acts; 2 hours 8 



F. 



RURAL PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

MAN FROM MAINE. 5 Acts; 2)4 hours 9 

AMONG THE BERKSHIRES. 3 Acts; 234 hours 8 

OAK FARM. 3 Acts; 2}4 hours; 1 Stage Setting 7 

GREAT WINTERSON MINE. 3Acts;2hours 6 

SQUIRE THOMPKINS' DAUGHTER. 5 Acts; 2)4 hours 5 

WHEN A MAN'S SINGLE. 3 Acts; 2 hours 4 

FROM PUNKIN RIDGE. (15 cents.) 1 Act; 1 hour... 6 

LETTER FROM HOME. (15 cents.) 1 Act; 25 minutes 1 



ENTERTAINMENTS 

25 CENTS EACH 

AUNT DINAH'S QUILTING PARTY. 1 Scene 5 11 

BACHELOR MAIDS' REUNION. 1 Scene 2 30 

IN THE FERRY HOUSE. 1 Scene; 1% hours 19 15 

JAPANESE WEDDING. 1 Scene; 1 hour 3 10 

MATRIMONIAL EXCHANGE. 2 Acts; 2 hours 6 9 

OLD PLANTATION NIGHT. 1 Scene; 1 y± hours 4 4 

YE VILLAGE SKEWL OF LONG AGO. 1 Scene. 13 12 

FAMILIAR FACES OF A FUNNY FAMILY 8 11 

JOLLY BACHELORS. Motion Song or Recitation 11 

CHRISTMAS MEDLEY. 30 minutes 15 14 

EASTER TIDINGS. 20 minutes 8 

BUNCH OF ROSES. (15 cents.) lAct;l^hours 1 13 

OVER THE GARDEN WALL. (15 cents) 11 8 



FITZGERALD PUBLISHING CORPORATION 

SUCCESSOR TO 
DICK & FITZGERALD, 18 Vesey Street, N. Y. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



COMEDIES AND DK™*®" 

25 CENTS EACH 

BREAKING HIS BONDS. 4 Acts; 2 hours 
BUTTE UN UT'S BUIDE. 3 Acts; 2^ hours 
COLLEGE CHUMS. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 
COUNT OF NO ACCOUNT. 3 Acts; 2^ hours 

DEACON". 5 Acts; 2^ hours. 

DELEGATES FROM DENVER. 2 Acts; 45 minutes 
DOCTOR BY COURTESY. 3 Acts; 2 hours 
EASTSIDERS, The. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 
ESCAPED FROM THE LAW. 5 Acts; 2 hours 
GIRL FROM PORTO RICO. 3 Acts; 2^ hours 

GYPSY QUEEN. 4 Acts; 2% hours 

IN THE ABSENCE OF SUSAN. 3 Acts; 1)4 hours 

JAIL BIRD. 5 Acts; 2^ hours 

JOSIAH'S COURTSHIP. 4 Acts; 2 hours 

MY LADY DARRELL. 4 Acts; 2V6 hours*. 
MY UNCLE FROM INDIA. 4 Acts; 2^ hours 

NEXT DOOR. 3 Acts; 2 hours 

PHYLLIS'S INHERITANCE. 3 Acts; 2 hours 

REGULAR FLIRT. 3 Acts; 2 hours 

ROGUE'S LUCK. 3 Acts; 2 hours 

SQUIRE'S STRATAGEM. 5 Acts: 2% hours 

STEEL KING. 4 Acts; 2^ hours 

WHAT'S NEXT ? 3 Acts; 2% hours 

WHITE LIE. 4 Acts; 2^ hours 




WESTERN PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

ROCKY FORD. 4Acts;2hours 8 

GOLDEN GULCH.. 3 Acts; 2*4 hours 11 

RED ROSETTE. 3Acts;2hours 6 

MISS MOSIIER OF COLORADO. 4 Acts; 2^ hours 5 

STUBBORN MOTOR CAR. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 7 

CRAWFORD'S CLAIM. ( 1 5 cents.) 3 Acts; 2^ hours. 9 



FITZGERALD PUBLISHING CORPORATION 

SUCCESSOR TO 
DICK 8b TITZGERALD, 18 Vesey Street, N. Y. 




